mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 23.xml

<div2 id="Gen.xxiv" n="xxiv" next="Gen.xxv" prev="Gen.xxiii" progress="16.78%" title="Chapter XXIII">
<pb id="Gen.xxiv-Page_141" n="141"/>
<h2 id="Gen.xxiv-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.xxiv-p0.2">CHAP. XXIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.xxiv-p1">Here is, I. Abraham a mourner for the death of
Sarah, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.1-Gen.23.2" parsed="|Gen|23|1|23|2" passage="Ge 23:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. II.
Abraham a purchaser of a burying-place for Sarah. 1. The purchase
humbly proposed by Abraham, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.3-Gen.23.4" parsed="|Gen|23|3|23|4" passage="Ge 23:3,4">ver. 3,
4</scripRef>. 2. Fairly treated of, and agreed to, with a great
deal of mutual civility and respect, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.5-Gen.23.16" parsed="|Gen|23|5|23|16" passage="Ge 23:5-16">ver. 5-16</scripRef>. 3. The purchase-money paid,
<scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.16" parsed="|Gen|23|16|0|0" passage="Ge 23:16">ver. 16</scripRef>. 4. The premises
conveyed and secured to Abraham, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.17-Gen.23.18 Bible:Gen.23.20" parsed="|Gen|23|17|23|18;|Gen|23|20|0|0" passage="Ge 23:17,18,20">ver. 17, 18, 20</scripRef>. 5. Sarah's funeral,
<scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.19" parsed="|Gen|23|19|0|0" passage="Ge 23:19">ver. 19</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.xxiv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23" parsed="|Gen|23|0|0|0" passage="Ge 23" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.xxiv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.1-Gen.23.2" parsed="|Gen|23|1|23|2" passage="Ge 23:1-2" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.23.1-Gen.23.2">
<h4 id="Gen.xxiv-p1.9">The Death of Sarah. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xxiv-p1.10">b. c.</span> 1857.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxiv-p2">1 And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty
years old: <i>these were</i> the years of the life of Sarah.  
2 And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same <i>is</i> Hebron in the
land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep
for her.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxiv-p3">We have here, 1. Sarah's age, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.1" parsed="|Gen|23|1|0|0" passage="Ge 23:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Almost forty years
before, she had called herself old, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.18.12" parsed="|Gen|18|12|0|0" passage="Ge 18:12"><i>ch.</i> xviii. 12</scripRef>. Old people will die
never the sooner, but may die the better, for reckoning themselves
old. 2. Her death, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.2" parsed="|Gen|23|2|0|0" passage="Ge 23:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. The longest liver must die at last. Abraham and Sarah
had lived comfortably together many years; but death parts those
whom nothing else could part. The special friends and favourites of
Heaven are not exempted from the stroke of death. She died in the
land of Canaan, where she had been above sixty years a sojourner.
3. Abraham's mourning for her; and he was a true mourner. He did
not only perform the ceremonies of mourning according to the custom
of those time, as the mourners that go about the streets, but he
did sincerely lament the great loss he had of a good wife, and gave
proof of the constancy of his affection to her to the last. Two
words are used: he came both to <i>mourn</i> and to <i>weep.</i>
His sorrow was not counterfeit, but real. He came to her tent, and
sat down by the corpse, there to pay the tribute of his tears, that
his eye might affect his heart, and that he might pay the greater
respect to the memory of her that was gone. Note, It is not only
lawful, but it is a duty, to lament the death of our near
relations, both in compliance with the providence of God, who thus
calls to weeping and mourning, and in honour to those to whom
honour is due. Tears are a tribute due to our deceased friends.
When a body is sown, it must be watered. But we must not sorrow as
those that have no hope; for we have a good hope through grace both
concerning them and concerning ourselves.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xxiv-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.3-Gen.23.15" parsed="|Gen|23|3|23|15" passage="Ge 23:3-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.23.3-Gen.23.15">
<h4 id="Gen.xxiv-p3.5">The Cave of Machpelah. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xxiv-p3.6">b. c.</span> 1857.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxiv-p4">3 And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and
spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,   4 I <i>am</i> a
stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a
buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
  5 And the children of Heth

<pb id="Gen.xxiv-Page_142" n="142"/>

answered
Abraham, saying unto him,   6 Hear us, my lord: thou
<i>art</i> a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our
sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his
sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.   7 And Abraham
stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, <i>even</i>
to the children of Heth.   8 And he communed with them,
saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my
sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
  9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath,
which <i>is</i> in the end of his field; for as much money as it is
worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace
amongst you.   10 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth:
and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the
children of Heth, <i>even</i> of all that went in at the gate of
his city, saying,   11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I
thee, and the cave that <i>is</i> therein, I give it thee; in the
presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
  12 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the
land.   13 And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the
people of the land, saying, But if thou <i>wilt give it,</i> I pray
thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take <i>it</i>
of me, and I will bury my dead there.   14 And Ephron answered
Abraham, saying unto him,   15 My lord, hearken unto me: the
land <i>is worth</i> four hundred shekels of silver; what <i>is</i>
that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxiv-p5">Here is, I. The humble request which
Abraham made to his neighbours, the Hittites, for a burying-place
among them, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.3-Gen.23.4" parsed="|Gen|23|3|23|4" passage="Ge 23:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3,
4</scripRef>. It was strange he had this to do now; but we are to
impute it rather to God's providence than to his improvidence, as
appears <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.7.5" parsed="|Acts|7|5|0|0" passage="Ac 7:5">Acts vi. 5</scripRef>, where it
is said, <i>God gave him no inheritance in Canaan.</i> It were well
if all those who take care to provide burying-places for their
bodies after death were as careful to provide a resting-place for
their souls. Observe here, 1. The convenient diversion which this
affair gave, for the present, to Abraham's grief: He <i>stood up
from before his dead.</i> Those that find themselves in danger of
over-grieving for their dead relations, and are entering into that
temptation, must take heed of poring upon their loss and sitting
alone and melancholy. There must be a time of standing up from
before their dead, and ceasing to mourn. For, thanks be to God, our
happiness is not bound up in the life of any creature. Care of the
funeral may, as here, be improved to divert grief for the death at
first, when it is most in danger of tyrannizing. Weeping must not
hinder sowing. 2. The argument he used with the children of Heth,
which was this: "<i>I am a stranger and a sojourner with you,</i>
therefore I am unprovided, and must become a humble suitor to you
for a burying-place." This was one occasion which Abraham took to
confess that he was a stranger and a pilgrim upon earth; he was not
ashamed to own it thus publicly, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.13" parsed="|Heb|11|13|0|0" passage="Heb 11:13">Heb.
xi. 13</scripRef>. Note, The death of our relations should
effectually remind us that we are not at home in this world. When
they are gone, say, "We are going." 3. His uneasiness till this
affair was settled, intimated in that word, <i>that I may bury my
dead out of my sight.</i> Note, Death will make those unpleasant to
our sight who while they lived were the desire of our eyes. The
countenance that was fresh and lively becomes pale and ghastly, and
fit to be removed into the land of darkness. While she was in his
sight, it renewed his grief, which he would prevent.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxiv-p6">II. The generous offer which the children
of Heth made to him, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.5-Gen.23.6" parsed="|Gen|23|5|23|6" passage="Ge 23:5,6"><i>v.</i> 5,
6</scripRef>. They compliment him, 1. With a title of respect:
<i>Thou art a prince of God among us,</i> so the word is; not only
great, but good. He called himself a stranger and a sojourner; they
call him a great prince; for those that humble themselves shall be
exalted. God had promised to make Abraham's name great. 2. With a
tender of the best of their burying-places. Note, Even the light of
nature teaches us to be civil and respectful towards all, though
they be strangers and sojourners. The noble generosity of these
Canaanites shames and condemns the closeness, and selfishness, and
ill-humour, of many that call themselves Israelites. Observe, These
Canaanites would be glad to mingle their dust with Abraham's and to
have their last end like his.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxiv-p7">III. The particular proposal which Abraham
made to them, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.7-Gen.23.9" parsed="|Gen|23|7|23|9" passage="Ge 23:7-9"><i>v.</i>
7-9</scripRef>. He returns them his thanks for their kind offer
with all possible decency and respect; though a great man, an old
man, and now a mourner, yet he stands up, and bows himself humbly
before them, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.7" parsed="|Gen|23|7|0|0" passage="Ge 23:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>.
Note, Religion teaches good manners; and those abuse it that place
it in rudeness and clownishness. He then pitches upon the place he
thinks most convenient, namely, the cave of Machpelah, which
probably lay near him, and had not yet been used for a
burying-place. The

<pb id="Gen.xxiv-Page_143" n="143"/>

present owner was
<i>Ephron.</i> Abraham cannot pretend to any interest in him, but
he desires that they would improve theirs with him to get the
purchase of that cave, and the field in which it was. Note, A
moderate desire to obtain that which is convenient for us, by fair
and honest means, is not such a coveting of that which is our
neighbour's as is forbidden in the tenth commandment.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxiv-p8">IV. The present which Ephron made to
Abraham of his field: <i>The field give I thee,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.10-Gen.23.11" parsed="|Gen|23|10|23|11" passage="Ge 23:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10, 11</scripRef>. Abraham thought
he must be entreated to sell it; but, upon the first mention of it,
without entreaty, Ephron freely gives it. Some men have more
generosity than they are thought to have. Abraham, no doubt, had
taken all occasions to oblige his neighbours, and do them any
service that lay in his power; and now they return his kindness:
for <i>he that watereth shall be watered also himself.</i> Note, If
those that profess religion adorn their profession by eminent
civility and serviceableness to all, they shall find it will
rebound to their own comfort and advantage, as well as to the glory
of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxiv-p9">V. Abraham's modest and sincere refusal of
Ephron's kind offer, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.12-Gen.23.13" parsed="|Gen|23|12|23|13" passage="Ge 23:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12,
13</scripRef>. Abundance of thanks he returns him for it (<scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.12" parsed="|Gen|23|12|0|0" passage="Ge 23:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), makes his obeisance to
him before the people of the land, that they might respect Ephron
the more for the respect they saw Abraham give him (<scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.15.30" parsed="|1Sam|15|30|0|0" passage="1Sa 15:30">1 Sam. xv. 30</scripRef>), but resolves to give
him money for the field, even the full value of it. It was not in
pride that Abraham refused the gift, or because he scorned to be
beholden to Ephron; but, 1. In justice. Abraham was rich in silver
and gold (<scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.2" parsed="|Gen|13|2|0|0" passage="Ge 13:2"><i>ch.</i> xiii.
2</scripRef>) and was able to pay for the field, and therefore
would not take advantage of Ephron's generosity. Note, Honesty, as
well as honour, forbids us to sponge upon our neighbours and to
impose upon those that are free. Job reflected upon it with
comfort, when he was poor, that he had not <i>eaten the fruits of
his land without money,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.31.39" parsed="|Job|31|39|0|0" passage="Job 31:39">Job xxxi.
39</scripRef>. 2. In prudence. He would pay for it lest Ephron,
when this good humour was over, should upbraid him with it, and
say, <i>I have made Abraham rich</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.14.23" parsed="|Gen|14|23|0|0" passage="Ge 14:23"><i>ch.</i> xiv. 23</scripRef>), or lest the next heir
should question Abraham's title (because that grant was made
without any consideration), and claim back the field. Thus David
afterwards refused Araunah's offer, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.24.24" parsed="|2Sam|24|24|0|0" passage="2Sa 24:24">2
Sam. xxiv. 24</scripRef>. We know not what affronts we may
hereafter receive from those that are now most kind and
generous.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxiv-p10">VI. The price of the land fixed by Ephron
but not insisted on: <i>The land is worth four hundred shekels of
silver</i> (about fifty pounds of our money), <i>but what is that
between me and thee?</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.14-Gen.23.15" parsed="|Gen|23|14|23|15" passage="Ge 23:14,15"><i>v.</i>
14, 15</scripRef>. He would rather oblige his friend than have so
much money in his pocket. Herein Ephron discovers, 1. A great
contempt of worldly wealth. "What is that between me and thee? It
is a small matter, not worth speaking of." Many a one would have
said, "It is a deal of money; it will go far in a child's portion."
But Ephron says, "What is that?" Note, It is an excellent thing for
people to have low and mean thoughts of all the wealth of this
world; it is that which is not, and in the abundance of which a
man's life does not consist, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.12.15" parsed="|Luke|12|15|0|0" passage="Lu 12:15">Luke xii.
15</scripRef>. 2. Great courtesy, and obligingness to his friend
and neighbour. Ephron was not jealous of Abraham as a resident
foreigner, nor envious at him as a man likely to thrive and grow
rich. He bore him no ill-will for his singularity in religion, but
was much kinder to him than most people now-a-days are to their own
brothers: <i>What is that between me and thee?</i> Note, No little
thing should occasion demurs and differences between true friends.
When we are tempted to be hot in resenting affronts, high in
demanding our rights, or hard in denying a kindness, we should
answer the temptation with this question: "What is that between me
and my friend?"</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xxiv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.16-Gen.23.20" parsed="|Gen|23|16|23|20" passage="Ge 23:16-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.23.16-Gen.23.20">
<h4 id="Gen.xxiv-p10.4">Sarah's Funeral. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xxiv-p10.5">b. c.</span> 1857.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxiv-p11">16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and
Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the
audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver,
current <i>money</i> with the merchant.   17 And the field of
Ephron, which <i>was</i> in Machpelah, which <i>was</i> before
Mamre, the field, and the cave which <i>was</i> therein, and all
the trees that <i>were</i> in the field, that <i>were</i> in all
the borders round about, were made sure   18 Unto Abraham for
a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all
that went in at the gate of his city.   19 And after this,
Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah
before Mamre: the same <i>is</i> Hebron in the land of Canaan.
  20 And the field, and the cave that <i>is</i> therein, were
made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the
sons of Heth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxiv-p12">We have here the conclusion of the treaty
between Abraham and Ephron about the burying-place. The bargain was
publicly made before all the neighbours, <i>in the presence and
audience of the sons of Heth,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.16-Gen.23.17" parsed="|Gen|23|16|23|17" passage="Ge 23:16,17"><i>v.</i> 16, 17</scripRef>. Note, Prudence, as well
as justice, directs us to be fair, and open, and above-board, in
our dealings. Fraudulent contracts hate the light, and choose to be
clandestine; but those that design honestly in their bargains care
not who are witnesses to them. Our law countenances sales made in
market-overt, and by deed enrolled. Observe, 1. Abraham, without
fraud, covin, or further delay, pays

<pb id="Gen.xxiv-Page_144" n="144"/>

the
money, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.16" parsed="|Gen|23|16|0|0" passage="Ge 23:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. He
pays it readily, without hesitation,—pays it in full, without
diminution,—and pays it by weight, current money with the
merchant, without deceit. See how anciently money was used for the
help of commerce; and see how honestly money should be paid where
it is due. Observe, Though all the land of Canaan was Abraham's by
promise, yet, the time of his possessing not having come, what he
had now occasion for he bought and paid for. Note, Dominion is not
founded in grace. The saints' title to an eternal inheritance does
not entitle them to the possessions of this world, nor justify them
in doing wrong. 2. Ephron honestly and fairly makes him a good
title to the land, <scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.17-Gen.23.18 Bible:Gen.23.20" parsed="|Gen|23|17|23|18;|Gen|23|20|0|0" passage="Ge 23:17,18,20"><i>v.</i> 17,
18, 20</scripRef>. The field, with all its appurtenances, is
conveyed to Abraham and his heirs for ever, in open court, not by
writing (it does not appear that writing was then used), but by
such a public solemn declaration before witnesses as was sufficient
to pass it. Note, As that which is bought must be honestly paid
for, so that which is sold must be honestly delivered and secured.
3. Abraham, thereupon, takes possession, and buries Sarah in the
cave or vault (whether framed by nature or art is not certain)
which was in the purchased field. It is probable that Abraham had
buried servants out of his family since he came to Canaan, but the
graves of the common people (<scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.23.6" parsed="|2Kgs|23|6|0|0" passage="2Ki 23:6">2 Kings
xxiii. 6</scripRef>) might suffice for them; now that Sarah was
dead a peculiar place must be found for her remains. It is worth
noting, (1.) That a burying-place was the first spot of ground
Abraham possessed in Canaan. Note, When we are entering into the
world it is good to think of our going out of it; for, as soon as
we are born, we begin to die. (2.) That it was the only piece of
land he ever possessed, though the country was all his own in
reversion. Those that have least of this earth find a grave in it.
Abraham provided, not cities, as Cain and Nimrod, but a sepulchre,
[1.] To be a constant memorandum of death to himself and his
posterity, that he and they might learn to die daily. This
sepulchre is said to be <i>at the end of the field</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xxiv-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.23.9" parsed="|Gen|23|9|0|0" passage="Ge 23:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>); for, whatever our
possessions are, there is a sepulchre at the end of them. [2.] To
be a token of his belief and expectation of the resurrection; for
why should such care be taken of the body if it be thrown away for
ever, and must not rise again? Abraham, in this, said plainly that
he sought a better country, that is, a heavenly. Abraham is content
to be still flitting, while he lives, but secures a place where,
when he dies his flesh may rest in hope.</p>
</div></div2>